Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1887-02-02


night, to witness the drama 1.-The Last
Loaf" which was presented by ouI
home talent. The entertainment was
gotten up by the ladies of the MethO-
dist church, and the proceeds were Civ
en- to the church. Perhaps there are
some super sensitive persons who may
cavil at the propriety of the church re-
ceiving assistance from the stage. II
such there be, we would say that the
lesson taught by the play was strictly
moral one, and no sermon could burn it
into the minds and hearts of the audi
ence as thoroughly as the presentation
of the characters did. There has been
scarcity of moral entertainment for
the younger people this winter, and
we believe the effect of this play will
prove to be beneficial.
Onr good-lOoking partner, Mr.. Z. p.
Caruthers, had the character of Marx
Ashton assigned him. Mark was a
wealthy man, who had retired from bu-
slness, and took great comfort In the
luxurles of happy home. The opening
scene revealed the happy home, where
a good man, cOntented and loving
wife, and beautiful and affectionate
daughter were living in elegant ease.
The tempter came, and Mark fell, a
victim Of drink, which had been his
besetting sin in his younger days. The
happy home is destroyed and degrade
ton and want speedily follow. Mr..
Caruthers acted his part well, especial
ly the first drunken act, but at times
his voice was too low to be heard by
more than half the house.
Mr.. Harry Brown as caleb Hanson. -
rich, retired and INSCRIPTIONS man,
had an unpleasant part to take, and but
little chance to make a fine effect, but
he made the best of his opportunity,
and looked the part so thoroughly that
words were unnecessary.
Mr.. Harry BarrOll as Harry Han
son." had leading part, and acted it
well. Ills speech denouncing the base
conduct of his father, Caleb, was we'll
delivered, and the audience rewarded
him with enthusiastic applause.
Mr.. Il. b. Macdonald took the part of
Dick Bustle." a journeyman baker,
with ambition to rise He gets him.
self into good many tight places, and
has faculty for learning the secrets of
other people. He comes out "buttered
side down" most of the time, but gains
his point at last. Being a lawyer and
Il judge, we scarcely expected to see
much of a success as comedian, but
his comic speeches and laughable an
ties proved that he could lay aside dull
care and be as lively as any boy in the
house.
Tom Chubbs." the suffering butch
or. was represented by Mr.. w. I. Rouse.
who stammered SO fearfully that the
audience was kept in laughter all the
time, and it was difficult to hear what
he had to say. lie came cut "buttered
side down" every time, TO the great sat-
isfactiOn of the audience.
Miss Alice Taylor scored success as
Kate Ashton" Size represented a
woman with mind of her own, and
she did it so effectively that the whole
thing seemed natural, and not assumed.
She has strong voice, and was easily
heard all over the house. Her strong
est points were tragic, which she carried
through with great success.
Miss Jessie Simmons played well her
part as Lilly Ashton the sixteen
year-old. dutiful daughter of Mark and
Kate Ashton. She had beautiful
character to sustain, which she did sue
cessfully, not so much by fine speeches
as by her modest and shrinking deport-
ment. She spoke in clear and distinct
voice, and was easily heard. This was
her first attempt upon the stage. and il
is the universal comment that she made
a great success.
Patty Jones'" the Yankee girl, was
represented true TO life and twice as
pretty, by Miss Jessie O'Bryan. She
carried off the honors OF the evening.
Her acting was perfect. her speeches
were delivered i'll clear tones. with en-
ergetic emphasis, when the case de-
manded it, and her movements and
gestures were all graceful. She repre-
scented true-Eearted girl, (which she
ISL and it came natural. She kept her
lovers in hot water for five years, be-
cause she was so attractive she could
not drive them off. Her experience in
real life will probably be the same.
The whole play was well presented.
and considering the small stage, and
the fact that only one rehearsal was had
when all the actors were present. il is
wonder that some one did not make
failure. We hope this will prove to
be the beginning of regularly organ
lied theatrical company, composed OF
our best home talent.